Mail-sack-exchange mechanism for railways.



R. .KERSER MAIL SACK EXCHANGE MECHANISM FOR BAILWAYS. v APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16, 1901. y 899,170. l Patented Septfga 19o8.

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R. KERSEY. MAIL SACK EXCHANGE MBGHNISM FOB RAIL WAYS. PPLIcATIoH FILED nov. 1e, 1907.

Patented sepa 22, 1908@ 1 4 smnrsfsunm; s.

Patented Sap?h 22, 1908.A

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R. KBRSEY.' MAIL SACK EXCHANGE. MBGHANISM PO-B RAILWAYS.

APPLIGATIUH FILED BOV. 16, 1907.

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VPatented. Sept. 22, 1908.

- B. KERSEY.' M AIL SACK EXCHANGE MECEANISM POB BAILWAYS.

APPLIOATIOX ILB'D NOV. 16, 1907;

RICHARD KERSEY, AOF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, ASSIGXOR OF ONE-HALF TO .I

' SOX BAILEY, 0F .\CBRAYER, KEXTUCKY. Y

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent-ea sepazz, 1908.

Application filed Novmber 1s, 1907. serial N0. 402,508.

To all whom. it may co neem:

Be it known that I, R101-IARD KEnsEY, a

V citizen of the United States, residing at Lexington, in the count-y of Fayette and State of Kentucky, have invented a. new anduseul Mail-Sack-Ilxchange Mechanism for Railway v of which the following is a specification.

T his invention relates to improvements in means for delivering mail from and to railway cars while t-he same are in motion.

The primaryr object of the present invention is to provide strong, durable and effective mechanism, which will deliver and receive mail sacks or bags without injuring the same or the contents the-roof,A and without exposing the mail clerks to danger during such exchange, said means obviating the chance of mail bags falling beneath thel trains and thus having their contents injured or destroyed.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure' 1 is a perspective View of the exchange mechanism showing the relation of the parts just prior to the exchange. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the arrangement of parts just after the exchange has taken place. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the. mechanism that is mounted on the car. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of F ig. Fig. 5 is a horizontal seetional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view through the sack receiving mechanism. Fig. 7 is a horizontal view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a detail view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. is a vertical sectional view through the. trackside mechanism. Fig. 19 is a detail sectional view on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view throueh a mall sack and a portion of the. suspending means applied thereto.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the ligures of the drawings.

The invention comprises a receiving and delivery mechanism, designated generally by the reference numeral 12 that is mounted on the car, and a track-side mechanism, designated generally by the reference numeral 13. 'lhese willbe. described in turn.

The mail car 1t may be of any suitable structure, and is provided with a door-way Fig. 9

15, across which extends'a bar 16 on which the mechanism 12 is mounted. In the construction of said mechanism, a rotatable earrier in the form of a standard 16a, has gudgeons 17 journaled respectively in the cross bar 16 and in the top of the door frame,

the upper gudgeon extending through a suit-v able boxing 1Q. .-kn upper supporting bar 19, and a lower supportirgr bar 20 are slid-- ably mounted on the standard, and are capable of reciprocation transversely thereof or 1n a horizontal direction- To this end, the bars 19 preferably have their rear )o1-tions bifurcated, as shown at 2l so that they embrace the standard, and said standard is 1'0- vided with guides 22 in which the bals s ide. The rear ends of the supporting bals are connected by an upright handle piece 23, which extends above the upper bar, this extension constituting in effect a locking bolt or memnotch or socket '25a of a member '25 that is located in the boxing 1S, and is journaled on the gudgeon 17. This member, as shown, more particularly in Fig. 5, has a llat rear side spaced from the front ivall of the boxing 18, and cushions 26 of rubber or other suitable material, are interposed between the member and said front wall. It will thus be evident that if the standard 16 is swung so that the supporting bars 19 and 20 project outwardly, said bars can be moved longitudinally outwardly to projecting relation Aires T nonrly with respect to the car, and npon said movement, the extension Z-t of the handle will engage in the socket '25 so that the standard and consequently the reeiprocating fra-me will be held against rotation. At the same time, inasmuch as the member 25 has a slight movement, allowed by the cushions 26, shocks and jars to the mechanism will be absorbed by said cushions, as hereinafter ex lainedn order to lock the supporting bars 19 and 20 in their outermost positions, a latch is employed, in the form of a substantially U- shaped bail 2T that embraces the upper portion of the handle 23, and pivoted thereto, as shown at 28, the terminals of said bail being in the 'form of hoolss Z9 that engage lover 'outstanding blocks 39 fastened to the standard. These hooks 1.vlien engaged over the outer sides of the bloel'ss, prevent the inward movement of the bers 19 and 120 and when engaged behind the inner ends of the 75 ber 24 that is movable into vand out of the 3 Xforming a shoulder 37. 'i n p ivoted between each set of ears.

' blocks, hold said bars againstoutn'ardinlovement, as will be evident. lt will also be apvparent that when the bars lil-and 20 are drawn inwardly, the upper end 24 of the hanbe turned and the bars 19` and 2() brought into the door-way. In order to holdv the parts in this latter position, hooks 31 are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the'casing or boxing 1S, as shown in Figr, and exigage over the upper end of the part 24. The upper bar 19 constitutes a support for the mail bagor sack receivingand holdingmeans, and to this end, said bar is provided on opposite sides of its outer end with spaced ears 32. An upwardly swinging arm 33 is arranged to be pivotally mounted on either set of ears, and has in its outer end a socket 34. Pivoted between its ends in the socket is a retaining dog 35, the outer end of said dog being weighted, as shown at 36 so that the inner end is normally projecting above the upper side of the bar, as will be clear b v reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The ears 32 are provided in their upper edges with sockets 3 7, and the inner end of the arm 33 extends into the plane of these sockets, being provided as illustrated in Fig. 6, with a reduced terminal A holding hitch 3S is Therefore will be evident that if the outer end of the swung upwardly, the inner end will be depressed, and the shoulder will engage beh i'dftlie latch 3S so that the arm will be lockedin its upstanding position. The latch 3S, hbvtiver, is readily accessible from below, so thatithnay be moved to an inoperative positionto permit the arm to be returned to a horizontalposition. It is believed t-liat this will beelear from Fig. 6. The lower supporting arm 20 carries the sack or bag delivering means. T his means comprises a pair of downwardly swinging supporting hooks 39 pivotalh mounted on opposite sides of the outer end ofthe bar 20 and having outstanding fingers 4()`\\ A latch 4] plvoted between its ends on tlieouter end of the bar, has in its upper end, oppositely disposed recessed seats 42 in which one or the other of the fingers 40 may be engaged. The lower end 412l is oli'set so that it will clear the lingels 40 on its swingingr movements and thus not break them olf. ilfhen so engaged, the

-hooks 39 will be held in substantially horizontal position, as shown in Fig. l. A sack stead'ying bracket 42a is suspended from the arm 20, and terminates in an outstanding arm 43 provided with oppositely extending .lips 44 located below the sack holding means.

In the construction of the track-side mechanism, a standard 45 is employed, mounted on a base or platform 46 having stops 47. On the upper end of the standard pivotally mounted a vertically swinging ends of the stirrups 79.

supporting bar 4S, the rear end of which is weighted, as shown at 49. rl`he opposite end, which located on the opposite side of the standard to thev weight 49, has on oppo-VA site. sides pivotally vmounted downwardly swinging sack holding hooks 5() provided -with utstanding fingers 51 arranged to 4en.

gage in seats 52 formed inl the upper end of a holding latch v.53. This holding latch-.4. is pivoted between ,its endson the end of the supportingr bar and` is lower end 53a is olfsetfto clear the fingers 51. A sack or bag steadying bracket 54 is pivotally hung as shown at 55 in F ig. 9 from the arm 48, and terminates in an ollset` substantially horizontal arm 56 having oppositely extending plates or lips 57. This mechanism constitutes the means for delivering the mail bags to the car. The receiving :mechanism is mounted below said delivering mechanism, and is preferably constructed as follows: An arm 5S is pivotally mounted between its ends, as shown 'at 59 on the lower portion of the standard 45, the. rear end of said arm being in the form of a yoke -60 having a cross bar 61 therein, the upper side of which forms a shoulder G2. A hitch 63 mounted on the standard. engages over the shoulder 62, and is yieldingly maintained thereover by a spring G4 that bears against the latch. A tension, varying screw 65 mounted on the standard, engages the spring 64. The other arm of the bar .58,"when in i horizontal position, abuts against a suitable cushion 66 and when swung downwardly dngages another cushion G7 mounted on a bld yk 68 that is secured to the standard. A roeiprocatory receiving arm G9 is pivoted on the free arm of the supporting bar 5S, the pivot 7() thereof being horizontally disposed and detachably engaged in the bar. Said pivot, as shown in Fig. 1t) has an annular groove 71 therein, engaged b v a split retaining device 72 that passes through a. socket 73 formed in the bar. 'By removing the retaining device 72, the arm 69 can be detached and reversed, as will be evident. This receiving arm thus swings on a substantially horizontal axis, and itis provided in its upper side with a seat 74 located below the pivot and beneath the bar The free end of the arm 69 carries a pivotally mounted retaining dog 75, one end T6 o which is weighted to maintain the other end above the upptn` side of the` arm (i9. The inail bags or sacks wliich\.re designated 77, may be of any 'desired\or well known construction. These bags or\'saeks are securedby straps 78 to stirrups 79 which have links Si! pivotally mounted on their upv` per ends. 11, are doubled beneath the sacks and are passed through rings kpivotally.mounted on cross bars 82 that are\ta\st to the lower The straps 7S, as shown in -Fig.

l means of the link S0, and the rearmost lip 44 is engaged between .the lower ends of the stnrup 79 so as to prevent the too free movement of the mail sack. The receiving arm 33 -latch 53.

is placed in the forward set of eats 32 and in horizontal position, after which the mechan-v ism is swung around so that the arms 19 and 20 are at right angles to the car, and are then moved outwardly until the upper end 24 of the handle'QS is engaged in the socketla of thel member 25. The mechanism on the car will then be as in the position shown in Fig. 1. At the station, the mail bag to be transferred to' the car, is in like manner suspended from the supporting arm 4S by engaging the link with the rearmost hook 50, and securing said hook against downward movement by the The weight of the bagstherefore holds the arm in horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1 and the bag is steadied by the bracket 54 engaged in the stirrups. 79, as shown. The lower arm is placed in horizontal position, and is retained in said posit-ion by the latch 63 as illustrated in Fig. 9. The receiving arm 69 will therefore be in horizontal )osit-ion. As the mail car passes the tracside mephanism, the bag suspended from the car is so located that the stirrup 79 thereof will pass over the arm 69, and as itv reaches the. :supporting bar 59, the lower end of the latch 41 will strike said bar, and consequently be swung. This will release the hook 39 and permit it to drop so that the bag will be disengaged from the car -arried mechanism and the stirrup 'i9 will drop intothe scat 44 of the arm 69. The weight of the bag will immediately cause the supporting har 68 to swing downwardly as illustrated in Fig. I'Vhile this transfer istaking place, the forwardly projecting receiving arm 33 of the car carried mechanism will pass through the stirrup 79 of the mail bag that is susended from the supporting bar 4S and the liar 19 striking the lower end of the latch 32 will cause said latch to swing and release the hook 5() by which the mail bag is suspended. Consequently the stirrup T9 of this bag will now be engaged by the arm .'33 and the weight of said bag upon the inner end of the arm will swing said arm upwardly where it will be locked by the latch 3S. As soon as the supporting bar 38 of the track-side mechanism is relieved of the weight of the mail bag its upper end will swing upwardly and out of the way. The mail bag thus deposited on the car carried mechanism can be readily secured and said mechanism set for another exchange, while at the station the mail bag can be readily detached. Thus it will be evident that sacks of mail can. b exchanged by means of this mechanism without difhculty,` \\1nd without emlangcring either the mail so `\.transl`erred or the clerks under whose'super- -\y ision the exchange takes place. Y Themech-A anis-m is substantially durable so t-hatit willY withstand the hard usage tp which it is nec; essarily subjected. In this connection, it vill he. notedV that the shocks and iars are cushioned, far as possible. For instance when the mail bag is picked lup by the mechv anism the car, said mechanism is of course subjected to a sudden jar, so that if it was. solidly locked there might be danger ofinjury thereto but the cushions 26 permit a` slight yielding movenent to the. mechanism and absorbgsuch shock in this mechanism'. Moreover there is no danger of the bags becoming aecideiuitally detached, for the retaining dogs 35 and 75 constitute primary devices for preventing the stirrup 79`from slipping from the arms 33 and 69 wh the arm 33 swings to an u )right position andgin itself constitutes a loc-k or retainingr dev ce. In like manner, the arm 69 being provided with the depressed seat, serves to preventl-accidental detaclnnent of the bag delivered thereto. A.

From the foregoing, it is thought tha the. construction, operation, and many advan\\ tages of the herein described invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, and minor details of construction, may be resorted t'o without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. l

Having thus fully described my invention,- what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:- l x l l. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a downwardly movabl.\ mail sack holder, of a detent detachably engaging the holder to hold it in an elevated,"

osition, and means for disconnecting the iiolder and detent to permit the former to drop and release the sack.

2. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with track side and car carried exchange mechanisms, one of which includes a downwardly movable mail sack holder, of a detent detachably engaging the holder to maintain it in an elevated osition, and means engaged by a portion of t e other mechanism for moving the detent to disenried exchange mechanisms, one of which in# cludes a' downwardly movable mail sack holder, of a detent detachably engaging the holder t'i maintain it in an elevated position, means carried b v the other' mechanism for engaging the sack to receive the saine, and means engaged b v a port-ion of said other mechanisn-i for moving the detent to disengage it from the holder and permit said Beano y 'l hook pivoted on the rm, a latch for holding l its lower end that constitutes sack steadying 4. In mechanism of the character set forth. 4

the .foinbination with :i sup iorting arm, of a downwardl)Y swinging sac holding hook mounted thereon, and a. swinging hitch pivoted on the arm and detachably engaging the hook to hold it against downward movement.

5. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a support, of a phira-lity of movable sack holdeis mounted thereon, and a detent common to said holders` for maintaining either against movement.

6. In mechanism of the character set forth, the-combination with a supiort., of a plurality of movable sack holders mounted thereon, and a latch mounted on the support and detachably engaging either holder to prevent the movement thereof.

7. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a supporting arm, of

vdiiwnwardlv swinging sack holding hooks pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the arm, and a swinging hitch pivoted on the arm and having portions arranged to engage with either hookto hold it against downward movement.

S. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a support, of sack holding mea-ns mounted on the support, a sack steadying device located below the holding means, a. stirrn i havingr means that detachablv engages the holding means and is detacliably engaged by the steadlving device, and means for fastening the stirrup to a mail sack.

9. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a. supporting a-rm, of

' sack holding means mounted on the arm, a

sack steadving arm having an outstandingr lower terminal located below the holding means, a. stirrup that is detachably engaged by the steadying device, means for fastening the stirrup to a mail sack, and a link connected to the stirrup and detachably engaged by the sack holding means.

10. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a supporting arm, of movable sack holding means mounted on the arm, and a bracket secured to the arm and depending therefrom, said bracket having an outstanding lower terminal located below the holding means and constitoting a sack steadying arm.

11. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a supporting arm, of a downwardly swinging sack holding means.

l2. In mechanism of the character set' v forth, the combination with a support, o f a holder to drop and leave the sack so engaged. 5

receiving arm pivotallv mounted on the support, and a retaining dog pivotallv mounted on the arm and having one end normally projecting above said arm.

I3. ln mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a support, of'a receiving arm pivotallv mounted on the support and movable -thereon to an upstanding position, and means for locking the arm in its upstanding position.

14. In mechanism of the character setforth, the combination with a. support, of a receiving arm pivotally mounted betweenits ends on the support and movable thereon to an upstanding position, and a latch detachably connecting the arm and support to secure said arm in said upstandiiig position.

15. In mechanism of the.character Set forth, the combination with a. support having outstanding ears, of a receiving arm pivotall)v mounted between its ends` on the cats and capable of a swinging movement to an upstanding ,iosition, a hitch pivoted between the ears and detachablv engaging the ari-ir when in its upstanding position to maintain itin said position, and a detent dog pivotally mounted on the outer end of the arm and having one end normally project-ing above one end of the same.

16. In mechanism of the character set forth, the coi-nbinatioii with a rotatable carrier, of a support slidably mounted on the carrier, sack holding means mounted on the support, and means for limiting the sliding movement of the support on the rotatable carrier.

17.. In mechanism oi the character set forth, the combination with a rotatable. standard, of a reeiprocatory supporting bar slidably mounted on the standard, and constituting means for rotating the standard, and sack holding means' mounted on the bar.

18. In mechanism of the character set` forth, the combination with a standard, of a, i'eciprocatorv supporting bar slidably mounted on the standard transversely thereof, sack holding means mounted on the outer end of the bar, and a hitch pivotally mounted lon the bar and detachably engagingwith the standard to hold said bar against its sliding movement. v

19.. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a carrier, of a plurality of supports slidablv mounted thereon, and sack receiving and delivery means carried by the supports.

20. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combinationwith a carrier, of upbars.

per and lower supports slidablwmd thereon, sack delivery means mounted' on one support, sack receiving means mounted on the other support, and lhcking means for holding the' supports against sliding move- 4 ments.

21. In mechanism ofmltraetcr set forth, the combination with a standard, of upper and lower su )porting bars slidably mounted thereon, a. iandle connecting the bars for effecting their sliding movement, and sack holding means mounted on the 22. In mechanism of the .character set fort-h, the combination with a rotatable standard, of upper and lower substantially -horizontal bars slidably mounted thereon, a

handle connect-ing the inner ends of the bars for sliding the same, a. latch for connecting the bars and standard to prevent. the sliding movement of the latter, sack receiving means mounted on one of the bars, and sack delivery means mounted on the other bar.

23. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis, of a support slidably mounted on the carrier, and sack holding means mounted on the support.

24. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination'with a rotatable carrier, of a plurality of supports slidably mounted on the carrier, and sack holding and delivering means mounted on the supports.

2.5. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a rotatable standard, of a frame slidably mounted thereon, sack holding means mounted on the frame, and means for locking the frame against its sliding movement.

26. -In mechanism of the character set orth, the combination with a rotatable standard, of upper and lower bars slidably mounted on the standard transversely there of, a handle connecting the bars, means for locking the bars against sliding movement on the standard, sack receiving means mounted on one of the bars, and sack delivering means mounted on the other bar.

27. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a rotatable carrier, of sack holding means sl'idably mountedoutward movement to lock the carrier against rotation- 29. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination ith a rotatable cairrier, of a frame slidabiy infuriated-on the car-` forth the combination with s. rotatable standard, of upper and lower supporting bars slidablvv mounted thereon. a socket member associated 'with the standard, a handle connection betneen the' baishaving-an extension that is movable into and out of the socket of the member to prevent the rotation of the standard, and sack holding means mounted on the bals.

32. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a rotatable carrier, of sack holding mechanism mounted thereon, a lock for holding the carrier against. rotation, and means associated with the lock for cushioning the carrier.

In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a rotatable oarrier, of sack holding teehanism mounted thereon, a loe-k for holding the carrier against rotation and including :teta-cheb? engaging members, one of which is mounted on the carrier, and cushioning means for the other member.

34. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination Ywith a rotatable standard, of sack holding mechanism mounted thereon, a socket member associated with" the standard, gudgeons eng ged with the socket member, and a lor-Av j device mounted on the standard and int-.1ra ble into and out 3l. In mechanism ot' me character setV of the socket member. Y

35; In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with an upright standard, of upper and Eon-er supporting bars slidably mounted thereon. sack receiving and delivery'mechanism mounted on the bars, a rotatable socket niemixr mounted on one end of the standard. '-Whions enga-ging the socket member to iirni s rotation, an a. handle connecting the hars an:`

l having an extension that is movabie into and out. of the socket of the membery 36. In meehanisn. of the character set fort-h, the combination with a csr having a door-frame, of a cross har ioted in the frame above the car oor, an tip-ight standupper and lower supporting bars slidably `1nounted on the standard, 'sa-ck holding means mounted on the'bars, a connection between' the bars constituting locking means for preventing the rotation ofthe standard,

and a latch for holding the bars aga-inst sliding movement on thestandard.

37. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with al support having a swinging movement in a vertical direction, of a sack receiving arm pivotally suspended from 'the support.

3S. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a downwardly and upwardly swinging support, of a swinging sack receiving arm mounted on the support and having a. pivotal swinging movement thereon on a substantially horizontal axis that is disposed longitinlinallyof theL railroad track. I i

3S). In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with. a swinging support, of a swinging sack receiving arm mounted on the support andhaving a. pivotal swinging movement thereon on a `substantially horizontal axis, said arm having a de,- pending seat portion located below the pivot axis, and means for holding] the supportt against swingingr movement.

4t), In mechanism of thev character set forth,v the combination with a standard, of a swinging su )porting bar pivotally mounted on the stain -ard and having an upright path of movement., and a sack receiving arm pivotally mounted on the standard and having a pivotal movement thereon, on a substantially horizontal axis, said arm having a seat in its u iper sideland being provided at its end witli a pivotal retaining dog normally projecting above the arm.

4l. In mechanism of the character set fort-h, the combination with a standard, of a supporting bar pivotally mounted on the standard, a s )ring that detachahly engages the bar to hold it againstmovement, means for varving the tension of the spring, and sack holding means mounted on the bar.'

`forth, the combination with a standard, of a its ends on the standard, sack holding means mounted .on one end of the bar, the other end of the bar having a shoulder, a latch engaging the shoulder to normally hold the bar against its swinging movement, a spring ,bearing against the latch, and a device engaging the spring for varying the tension thereof against the latch.

43. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a standard, of a supporting arm pivotally mounted on the standard and having an upright path of i movement, a sack-holding hook pivot-ed on I the bar, and a latch that detachably engages ther hook to prevent its swinging movement.

44. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a sta'mdard, of a vertically movable supporting arm pivot-ally mounted on the standard, a downwardly swinging sack holding hook 'pivoted on the har, a latch pivotally mounted on the bar and engaging the hook to prevent its downward movement, and a sack steadying bracket pivotally hung from the bar.

In 'mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with a car having a door-way of a pivotally mountedV standard located in the door way, a reciprocatory frame mounted on the standard, mea-ns for locking thc` frame against eciprocation,

in the presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD KERSEY.

Witnesses:

Jonx M. PAUL, A. W. Knivrznn,

42. AIn mechanism of the character set' {support-ing bar pivotally mounted between' means for locking the standard against rot-a- 

